The camera started recording as soon as the thieves put the stolen keys in the ignition.

The 30-minute footage shows Mr Wallace's HiLux speeding out of his Pimlico property and running multiple stop signs before coming to a stop at traffic lights on the corner of Anne St and Ross River Rd.

After idling, the pair run the red light but are forced to turn around when they notice a car headed in their direction.

As they drive back down Anne St one of the criminals can be overheard saying, "Run fella, coppers bro". The joy-riders continue speeding through suburban streets, past pedestrians, before stopping and abandoning the car in Kirwan.

The joy-ride comes as more than 60 unlawful use of motor vehicle offences were committed last month and as police still search for six vehicles stolen in the past week.

Mr Wallace said he awoke on December 28 to find thieves had stolen his car and a number of personal items, including two commemorative watches, after they broke into his apartment via a second-floor bedroom in which his grandson was asleep.

Tom Wallace holding the case of one of the sentimental watches he had stolen.Source: Townsville Bulletin

"One of the stolen watches is gold and was given to me to celebrate my 23 years with Queensland Rail and the other is a silver collector's item from the Vietnam War," he said.

"It is very close to my heart because it commemorates 50 years of service from Vietnam and comes with a certificate of authenticity."

Mr Wallace said he would like to see his watch returned, even if it is done so anonymously.

"The watch would mean nothing to these heartless thieves, but the problem is these kids just laugh at the police because they know they will get off lightly."

Townsville police confirmed the thefts had been reported and were being investigated.

Comments on this story

jimmy of townsville Posted at 10:38 PM January 05, 2014

To Rachel groves of Rasmussen, you have been ill informed. It is the magistrates who are NOT holding up their end of the deal and are responsible for imposing low sentencing to repeat offenders. The penalties are there to be used, but very rarely are these penalties imposed. The max sentance for break and enter or burglary is 15 years in Qld. I think the general public would be shocked to see how repeat offenders are given very very lenient sentences all over this state. And to those saying it's Campbell Newman's fault have no idea. It was peter beattie who recommended and implemented that civil libertarians be magistrates and are directly responsible for the farce of a court system we are currently subjected to.

Realist of Townsville Posted at 12:15 PM January 03, 2014

Nice bit of advertising for Townsville, NOT! People are fed up, and are either talking about taking matters into their own hands, and giving these crims a taste of old fashioned justice, or talking about packing up and leaving town. Personally I know of one person who was going to expand their business in Townsville but will be selling their 6-figure investment in the next 12 months and taking their money elsewhere. Southerners see clips like this and don't want to come here for holidays. Until we see change in the justice system, the pollies are dreaming if they think people will move here.

Rachel Groves of Rasmussen Posted at 12:09 PM January 03, 2014

What a disgrace, the politicians should be embarrassed that they have done nothing to keep these lowlifes of the street. The police and magistrates are doing their end of the bargain.
The bikie laws are the excuse by the Newman government to not deal with the youth crime.
Also the elders of the community need to step up and start ensuring that the youth of this community start doing the right thing.
Finally these delinquents need to stop blaming everybody for their predicament and take ownership for the damage they are causing!
No more pussy footing around this subject of youth crime, people of this community have had enough.
Enough excuses by all parties, everyone needs to step up.
This all of our problem (the whole community, mainly the parents of these offenders ) not just police or magistrates!